(THIS ARTICLE IS MACHINE TRANSLATED by Google from Norwegian)
Before the US and Britain started the bombing of Afghanistan on Sunday night, more specifically Thursday 4. October, SV leader Kristin Halvorsen sent out a press release including the following message:
"SV's leader strongly warns against acts of war that lead to new losses of civilians. "This could lead to further recruitment to terrorist activities, the crackdown on international cooperation against terrorism and further instability in vulnerable regions," she says.
And further:
"- SV will not give blank powers to a Norwegian participation in military actions we do not know the content and scope of, says Kristin Halvorsen."
The day after the bombing began, ie on Monday, SV's parliamentary group met to discuss the US-led attack. Here it was agreed that it is Halvorsen who will speak to the press about the case – allegedly to avoid that different formulations will lead to speculation about disagreements.
No press release has come from Halvorsen after Monday's meeting. But statements made by the party leader to NTB and Klassekampen this week show that the SV leader is still concerned about the situation:
"- I think this seems unwise. I fear instability throughout the region and that this will complicate the long-term international agreement on the fight against terrorism. I also fear new recruitment to terrorist organizations, says Kristin Halvorsen to NTB. "
It is true, as Halvorsen also says, that the other parliamentary parties "show a servile attitude towards the United States", and that they uncritically take over the United States' view of the right to defend itself. But: After five nights of bombing Afghanistan, which has already killed civilians – including four UN employees engaged in demining – does Halvorsen's statements before and after the bombing, mean that SV is opposed to the attack? Will SV try to prevent the Norwegian aid to the United States that the government has promised? Will Halvorsen participate in or support demonstrations demanding a halt to the bombing of Afghanistan?
Or do we still just want to hear a concerned SV leader?
